Roch Kubatko

Orioles need more hits and fewer hurts

March 27, 2013, 7:41pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Let's see whether the Orioles can make it through tonight's game without an injury. Manager Buck Showalter may want to summon a bunch of poor unsuspecting souls from the minor league camp. Get the regulars out of there after the anthem. The pitchers may actually be wearing numbers in the 80s and 90s. The Orioles haven't listed a starter to replace injured Steve Johnson, and Showalter indicated yesterday that he could dig deep into the supply at Twin Lakes Park....

Tags:

Dickerson update and postgame Showalter

March 27, 2013, 7:03pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Dickerson has "a slight strain around his right Achilles" and is considered day-to-day, according to manager Buck Showalter. Dickerson tried to plant his foot in the soft grass to avoid running into Conor Jackson in the eighth inning and had to leave the game. Showalter said outfielder Trayvon Robinson is close to returning. Robinson felt more discomfort in his lower back today while taking batting practice. The line drive that hit Jair Jurrjens in the right ribcage...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter chris dickerson frontfeatured_orioles jair jurrjens trayvon robinson

Jurrjens and game updates (O's lose 11-8)

March 27, 2013, 4:51pm

Orioles

Jurrjens and game updates (O's lose 11-8)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens was making his final spring training start tonight. He didn't expect it to span only seven batters. "Yeah, that sucks," he said. To say the least. Jurrjens was nailed on the right ribcage by a line drive from New York Yankees designated hitter Thomas Neal in the top of the second inning. He will undergo precautionary X-rays on Thursday at 8 a.m. "Phew, scary. Really scary," he said. "I think I tried to come back a little bit and that's why it got me...

Tags:

orioles spring training jair jurrjens frontstory_orioles1

Jurrjens leaves game with injury (updated)

March 27, 2013, 3:48pm

Orioles

Jurrjens leaves game with injury (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter often says that the final week of spring training can be the most worrisome because of the risk of injuries. The idea is to get out of camp in good health. Two days ago, infielder Wilson Betemit suffered a Grade 2/3 tear of his right PCL. And tonight, starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens faced only seven batters before being hit by a line drive off the bat of New York Yannkees designated hitter Thomas Neal with no outs in the second inning. The ball...

Tags:

orioles spring training frontfeatured_orioles jair jurrjens

Orioles reassign Chris Robinson

March 27, 2013, 2:44pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The third shoe dropped today in Orioles camp. Besides pitcher Kevin Gausman and first baseman Travis Ishikawa, the Orioles also reassigned catcher Chris Robinson to minor league camp. Manager Buck Showalter met with him following batting practice. The moves leave the Orioles with 34 players in spring training, including six non-roster invitees. They must get down to 25 by 3 p.m. Sunday. Robinson went 4-for-11 in 10 games. He left the team to play for Canada in the World...

Tags:

orioles spring training chris robinson frontstory_orioles1

Showalter on Hammel and Steve Johnson (Yankees lineup)

March 27, 2013, 1:46pm

Orioles

Showalter on Hammel and Steve Johnson (Yankees lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The decision came easily for manager Buck Showalter. He just needed confirmation that Jason Hammel was healthy. If Hammel's knee cooperated, he would take the ball on opening day at Tropicana Field for the Orioles. "Just a health thing," Showalter said today after confirming Hammel's assignment. "We look at it as one of the five starters. He will be the first guy of the season. We don't look at it like socially or whatever. It's just our team. It's, 'You're gong...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter jason hammel steve johnson

Hammel talks about the opening day assignment

March 27, 2013, 1:28pm

Orioles

Hammel talks about the opening day assignment

SARASOTA, Fla. - So how's that for a flurry of activity today? Just wait until the Orioles actually play a game tonight. Jason Hammel finally had the freedom to talk about his opening day assignment on April 2. Manager Buck Showalter was impressed that the right-hander waited until reporters already had been notified before discussing it. It's also the little things that get noticed around here. "It's an honor," Hammel said. "I'm very excited. Basically, what it means is I get to be...

Tags:

orioles spring training featured_sidebar jason hammel frontstory_orioles3

Hammel named opening day starter, Gausman reassigned (updated)

March 27, 2013, 12:56pm

Orioles

Hammel named opening day starter, Gausman reassigned (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel was officially named the Orioles' opening day starter today by manager Buck Showalter. He will take the ball April 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Wei-Yi Chen will pitch the second game against the Rays and Miguel Gonzalez will be the third starter in the series at Tropicana Field. Chris Tillman will pitch the home opener April 5 if he is not placed on the disabled list. Otherwise, he will pitch the fifth day because the assignment would be backdated. Showalter...

Tags:

jason hammel kevin gausman orioles spring training travis ishikawa frontstory_orioles1

Steve Johnson shut down with sore lat muscle

March 27, 2013, 11:39am

Orioles

Steve Johnson shut down with sore lat muscle

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel has been told about his next start and where he fits in the Orioles rotation, but he asked reporters to get the information from manager Buck Showalter. Hammel clearly has been chosen as the opening day starter on April 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Official word is pending. Wei-Yin Chen is lined up to pitch the second game, followed by Miguel Gonzalez. The starter for the home opener on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins could depend on Chris...

Tags:

orioles spring training jason hammel steve johnson frontstory_orioles3

Orioles lineup against Yankees

March 27, 2013, 10:22am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is leading off and playing right field for tonight's game against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Brian Roberts is at second base and Alexi Casilla is at shortstop. J.J. Hardy will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy DH Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Alexi Casilla SS Jair Jurrjens RHP Troy Patton, Tommy Hunter, Daniel Schlereth, Adam Russell,...

Tags:

orioles spring training nick markakis frontstory_orioles1

Hammel throws five innings in minor league game

March 27, 2013, 9:42am

Orioles

Hammel throws five innings in minor league game

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel allowed three runs and three hits over five innings today in a game against Tampa Bay's high Single-A team on the Camden Yards field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Hammel walked three batters and struck out six before heading to the clubhouse. He threw 76 pitches, 47 for strikes. The assumption is that Hammel was making his final start before the Orioles announce him as their opening day starter. They begin the 2013 season against the...

Tags:

orioles spring training frontstory_orioles3

Urrutia expected to play for Orioles on Friday

March 27, 2013, 7:45am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Unless there's a late change in plans, the Orioles intend to summon Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia from minor league camp and give him some at-bats in Friday afternoon's game against State College of Florida at Ed Smith Stadium. Urrutia has one more paper to sign, according to a team official, before he's allowed to play in the game. Hopefully, it's not in Haiti. Urrutia, who finally received his work visa and flew into Miami in late February, has appeared in four minor...

Tags:

orioles spring training henry urrutia frontstory_orioles1

Orioles have few games remaining and some interesting decisions

March 26, 2013, 5:46pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - And down the stretch we come, with no more road trips left before the Orioles break camp and only three Grapefruit League games remaining on the schedule. The Orioles will play back-to-back night games against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. Two division rivals. Quick, hide the starters! Jair Jurrens takes the ball tonight after moving up to replace Steve Johnson. The Orioles should be thrilled with the progress he's made physically and with his command since the...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter jair jurrjens jason hammel frontstory_orioles1

Markakis expected to start in right field Wednesday (and note)

March 26, 2013, 12:50pm

Orioles

Markakis expected to start in right field Wednesday (and note)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter plans on starting Nick Markakis in right field Wednesday night against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. "We'll see how he feels," Showalter said. Markakis served as the designated hitter today and went 1-for-5, singling on the first pitch thrown to him since March 1. "It was good. He didn't want to walk the last time. You could tell," Showalter said. "I didn't run him 3-2 counts a couple times to get him through the day. His...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter kevin gausman nick markakis frontstory_orioles3

Gausman on Gausman (Orioles lose 9-5)

March 26, 2013, 12:03pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Minnesota Twins have scored twice off Orioles minor league pitcher Tyler Wilson to build a 9-4 lead in the ninth inning. Kevin Gausman never imagined that he would stay in major league camp for more than a week or two, but he made today's start with less than a week remaining before the 25-man roster must be set. "Right after (Dylan) Bundy left, I thought, 'All right, a couple more days.' But I'm definitely happy with it. Don't get me wrong, it's been a blast. I...

Tags:

orioles spring training kevin gausman frontstory_orioles1

Gausman's line and more from Showalter (game update)

March 26, 2013, 11:03am

Orioles

Gausman's line and more from Showalter (game update)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman left today's game after 3 2/3 innings with his pitch count at 69, including 50 for strikes. Gausman allowed three runs and six hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. Pedro Florimon reached on an infield single with two outs, bringing manager Buck Showalter from the dugout. First baseman Chris Davis bobbled the ball and threw late to Gausman covering the bag. The play was scored a hit. A 27-pitch third inning reduced the chances of Gausman getting past...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter frontfeatured_orioles kevin gausman russ canzler

Game update and Showalter quotes

March 26, 2013, 10:17am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman tossed two scoreless innings today against the Minnesota Twins before allowing two runs in the third. His fastball has topped out at 97 mph and reached 96 mph multiple times. Wilkin Ramirez doubled leading off the third inning for the Twins' first hit. Gausman responded by striking out former Orioles farmhand Pedro Florimon on a 96 mph fastball, but Aaron Hicks pulled a ball down the first base line, past Chris Davis and into the right field corner for an RBI...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter frontfeatured_orioles kevin gausman mark hendrickson

Ford reassigned, and a batch of other notes (game update)

March 26, 2013, 9:06am

Orioles

Ford reassigned, and a batch of other notes (game update)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles have reassigned outfielder Lew Ford to minor league camp. Ford was 15-for-37 (.405) with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in 17 games. "Lew has a chance to help us," said manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles have 37 players in camp, including nine non-roster invitees. The Orioles could make one or two more cuts Wednesday. Showalter told reporters that left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who hasn't allowed a hit or run in his last four outings, is still...

Tags:

orioles spring training buck showalter jim johnson kevin gausman lew ford mark hendrickson russ canzler steve johnson t.j. mcfarland wilson betemit frontstory_orioles1

Checking on Gonzalez

March 26, 2013, 7:17am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez, expected to settle into the middle of the Orioles rotation, threw about 85 pitches over six-plus innings yesterday at Twin Lakes Park. Gonzalez, facing the Boston Red Sox's Triple-A team, stayed on the mound to record an extra out in the first and sixth innings to increase his pitch count. "I felt good," he said. "Expo (Luis Exposito) did a great job back there." Gonzalez was satisfied with his changeup, slider and cutter, but said his split-finger...

Tags:

orioles spring training miguel gonzalez frontstory_orioles3

Betemit optimistic he can avoid surgery

March 26, 2013, 4:52am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wilson Betemit hobbled into the Orioles' clubhouse this morning on crutches and wearing a large brace on his right knee. He also wore a look of extreme disappointment on his face, though his words were tinged with optimism. Betemit said he will be reevaluated in six-to-eight weeks after suffering a Grade 2/3 tear in his right PCL during yesterday's game against the Boston Red Sox in Sarasota. He's been told that, for now, he will continue to receive treatment and rehab the...